Robert Pittenger, a Charlotte Republican, continued to stand by comments he made earlier this month that businesses should be free to fire employees based on their sexual orientation.

Pittenger has been criticized for the remarks, but he said in a statement Wednesday that Americans are already well-protected. Current laws against discrimination should be enforced to the fullest, he emphasized. But he said Americans need more jobs and a stronger economy, not more regulations that stifle growth

scruffLA saidPittenger has been criticized for the remarks, but he said in a statement Wednesday that Americans are already well-protected. Current laws against discrimination should be enforced to the fullest, he emphasized. But he said Americans need more jobs and a stronger economy, not more regulations that stifle growth.

He's apparently unaware that the courts of most States that have no specific protections for LGBT have been unwilling to extend other existing protections to them. Making firing someone for being gay perfectly legal. Or maybe he doesn't include gays in his definition of "Americans".

And I don't understand how firing gays creates MORE jobs and a stronger economy. How can the economy grow when gay consumers lose their incomes? Gay spending has been one of our winning points for gay marriage equality, since many local communities love to attract our weddings and honeymoons. Some locals see gay marriage as a growth industry for themselves.

No, this guy is just a homophobic bigot, no more interested in the economy than he is in civil equality. His arguments are flimsy and contrived, easily disproved, and more embarrassing than persuasive. Except, perhaps, to his target conservative base.

He's fully aware that many States have no specific protections for LGBT.....he's talking out of his ass.when he says "Current laws against discrimination should be enforced to the fullest." he means it.....but knows it's a hollow deception, when the fullest is ZERO.

The Gays would get fired and the 'good' straights would fill in the empty spots.

scruffLA saidPittenger has been criticized for the remarks, but he said in a statement Wednesday that Americans are already well-protected. Current laws against discrimination should be enforced to the fullest, he emphasized. But he said Americans need more jobs and a stronger economy, not more regulations that stifle growth.

....And I don't understand how firing gays creates MORE jobs and a stronger economy. How can the economy grow when gay consumers lose their incomes? Gay spending has been one of our winning points for gay marriage equality, since many local communities love to attract our weddings and honeymoons. Some locals see gay marriage as a growth industry for themselves.

No, this guy is just a homophobic bigot, no more interested in the economy than he is in civil equality. His arguments are flimsy and contrived, easily disproved, and more embarrassing than persuasive. Except, perhaps, to his target conservative base.